Delivery system for horticultural agents

ABSTRACT

A delivery system for delivering a horticultural agent to a plant including a carrier adapted to be placed in proximity to a root system of a plant, the carrier being of a material which is biodegradable and dissolvable upon prolonged exposure to water, and the horticultural agent being adhered to or admixed with the carrier and being dissolvable upon prolonged exposure to water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a system that delivers horticultural agentsincluding nutrients, fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides to aplant's root system effectively and efficiently. This invention alsorelates to a delivery system that reduces and/or prevents the incidenceof weeds.

Three “Current Trade Supported Methods” for applying granular fertilizeraround a plant currently in use include the following: 1) measuring aproper amount of fertilizer based upon a plant's size and type and thenspreading loose fertilizer granules on the top surface of theground/container around a plant; 2) measuring a proper amount offertilizer based upon a plant's size and type and then mixing loosefertilizer granules with a plant's back-fill soil; and 3) measuring aproper amount of fertilizer based upon a plant's size and type and thenspreading loose fertilizer granules at the base of the hole in theground or container where a plant is to be placed.

Other methods of applying fertilizers to a plant's root system includethe following: 4) placing a pre-measured package containing fertilizeron the top surface of the ground around a plant (see U.S. Pat. Nos.4,627,191, 3,857,195, 1,554,865, and 3,005,287); 5) pushing into theground a fertilizer stick (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,014,675; 6) placing apre-measured fertilizer tablet in the ground around the plant (see U.S.Pat. No. 4,055,974); 7) placing a plastic sheet incorporating awater-soluble plant nutrient on the surface of the ground (see Pat. No.3,384,993); 8) placing a plant activating device under a plant (see Pat.No. 1,988,307); and 9) pouring a water-soluble liquid fertilizer aroundthe base of the plant.

A disadvantage of several of the foregoing methods is that they requiresignificant involvement of the user in determining and applyingfertilizer dosage. In addition to the risk associated with measurementerrors, there is also a risk the user will spread the fertilizergranules unevenly around the plant, in the back-fill soil, or at thebottom of a hole. In each of these methods there is also a risk ofapplying too much or too little plant nutrients (timed-releasefertilizer). Even if the correct quantity of fertilizer is applied, thenthere is a risk of applying it unevenly. Other disadvantages emanatefrom the fact that a water-soluble fertilizer's nutrients are easilyleached from the soil, thereby requiring frequent feeding. Also, themixing of water and fertilizer is time-consuming, cumbersome, messy, andpotentially hazardous.

A disadvantage of using a pre-measured package as disclosed in, forexample, method 4 above, is that it is not economical. In addition,method 4's product design requires a pre-measured fertilizer package tobe placed on the top surface of the ground and not next to the plant'sroot system. Also, the use of timed-release plant nutrients in a packettype of container would result in a concentration of fertilizer incontrast to a preferred design whereby the granular fertilizer is evenlyspaced and evenly available to all the plant's root system.

Disadvantages of using a fertilizer stick (as identified in method 5above) include that it provides nutrients only at the point it isinserted into the soil. Depending upon the size of the plant to befertilized, multiple fertilizer sticks are recommended, with such sticksto be positioned equally spaced around the plant. Due to its spacing,the fertilizer does not reach all of the plant's root system equally.Also, due to the limited time fertilizer is made available to theplant's root system, usually 60 days, additional sticks must be insertedinto the ground on a somewhat regular and frequent basis.

The disadvantages of using a pre-measured fertilizer tablet (asidentified in method 6 above) are similar to the disadvantages of usinga fertilizer stick. The availability of nutrients to the plant's rootsystem is limited to roots closest to the fertilizer tablet; properfeeding requires multiple tablets to be used; and due to the fertilizertablet's design, multiple feedings are necessary approximately every 60days.

A plastic sheet incorporating a water-soluble plant nutrient on thesurface of the ground (as identified in method 7 above), if wrappedaround the plant's root system, would cause the plant to die. Inaddition, time-released fertilizers could not be incorporated into theplastic sheet due to the thickness of the plastic film, the extrusionprocess, and the average diameter of the timed-release fertilizergranules.

Timed-release fertilizers were first developed and/or introduced around1985. Since then the fertilizer and nursery industries have providedtimed-release fertilizer in granular form, each grain containing plantnutrients necessary for feeding a plant's root system. Methods 1, 2 and3 above, when using timed-release fertilizers to feed a plant's rootsystem, have been the methods recommended by the trade and in mostcommon use by the consumer.

There are three primary disadvantages in using the existing “TradeSupported Methods” for applying timed-release fertilizers to a plant'sroot system. One disadvantage is that the consumer must measure theamount of fertilizer needed and, in doing so, there is a risk that theconsumer will measure incorrectly and apply or distribute too much ortoo little fertilizer. When this happens, a plant's root system iseither burned by too much fertilizer or stunted by too littlefertilizer. A second disadvantage is that the consumer alwaysdistributes the granular fertilizer by hand. This method results in anuneven and poorly spaced distribution of granular fertilizer, therebyoverfeeding some of a plant's roots while underfeeding others. A thirddisadvantage in using one of the existing methods is that a plant's rootsystem does not have timed-release fertilizer granules placed in directproximity to all of a plant's root system. The result is that very fewroots of a plant have immediate nutrient access because of the distancebetween the fertilizer granule and the roots of the plant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved system fordelivering pre-measured horticultural agents to plants; to provide sucha system which allows for even distribution of the agents on the outsidesurface of a carrier to be placed in contact with or in close proximityto plants' root systems; to provide such a system constructed from adissolvable and biodegradable carrier; to provide such a system which isadapted to be wrapped around a plant's root system at the time the plantis being placed in the ground or in a container; to provide such asystem which reduces problems associated with providing too much or toolittle fertilizer or other agent; to provide such a system applicable tograss sod at the time of harvest and/or replanting; to provide such asystem which works over an extended period of time, such as over monthsof feeding; to provide such a system which optionally incorporates aweed barrier medium of the type normally placed on the surface of theground before the plant is placed in the ground; and to provide such asystem in the form of a pot applicable for placing in the ground whenplanting trees, bushes and the like.

Briefly, therefore, the invention is directed to a delivery system fordelivering a horticultural agent to a plant. The system has a carrieradapted to be placed in proximity to a root system of a plant, thecarrier comprising a material which is biodegradable and dissolvableupon prolonged exposure to water. A horticultural agent is adhered tothe carrier and is dissolvable upon prolonged exposure to water. Anadhesive compound adhering the horticultural agent to the carrier isdissolvable upon prolonged exposure to water.

The invention is also directed to a delivery system for delivering ahorticultural agent to a plant. The system has a carrier comprising amaterial which is biodegradable and dissolvable upon prolonged exposureto water, the carrier having a horticultural agent in intimate admixturetherewith, which horticultural agent is dissolvable upon prolongedexposure to water.

Other objects and features of the invention will be in part apparent andin part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic elevation of the embodiment of the invention ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of one embodiment of the carriermaterial of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic elevation of the embodiment of the invention ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic elevation of the embodiment of the invention ofFIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating distribution of horticulturalagent on the carrier in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating an alternative distribution ofhorticultural agent on the carrier of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating an alternative distribution ofhorticultural agent on the carrier of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating steps in manufacturing the invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment of the invention shown schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2is a pot for growing a plant. The pot serves as a carrier forhorticultural agent. The pot is constructed from a dissolvable andbiodegradable medium. A horticultural agent is preferably adhered to thecarrier by means of a dissolvable adhesive compound as described in moredetail below. Alternatively, the horticultural agent is contained withinthe carrier in intimate admixture with the medium from which the carrieris constructed. The horticultural agent is in one aspect a fertilizercomponent that efficiently promotes steady and long term growth of aplant. Another horticultural agent optionally used is an insecticide.The pot is placed inside a hole in the ground at a depth which takesadvantage of the pot's design, formulation and distribution of thefertilizer. The fertilizer contained in carrier is preferably formulatedand distributed to encourage immediate and long term root growth, and isoptionally formulated to match specific plant needs and soilrequirements.

In the specific application shown in FIG. 2, a portion of the potextends above ground and is designed to be folded both away from andtoward the plant. The horticultural agent in the section of the pot tobe folded contains a long term fertilizer and/or weed preventer(herbicide).

One embodiment of the pot is of solid construction, while a secondembodiment is of the perforated construction shown schematically in FIG.3. A third embodiment has perforated portions, such as partiallyperforated sides and bottom, to facilitate passage of watertherethrough.

The horticultural agent is mixed with the carrier and therefore integralto the pot construction, or is optionally affixed to the surface of thecarrier with a water soluble adhesive compound as represented in FIG. 2.The medium from which the pot is constructed is dissolvable andpreferably recyclable, and includes, but is not limited to, paper,cardboard, certain plastics, peat, mulch, straw, burlap, and othermaterials.

This embodiment of the invention is optionally prepared using twodifferent types of horticultural agent applied to different zones of thepot. The zone marked generally at A is applied with a long-term rootstimulator and/or a timed-release fertilizer. The zone marked generallyat B is applied with a delay fertilizer or a timed-release fertilizer.This provides for efficient delivery of a root stimulator from the areaof the pot (A) in closest proximity to the roots, and for efficientdelivery of a timed-release fertilizer from the area of the pot (B)comprising the lip extension represented in FIG. 2. Similar applicationof differing zones of horticultural agent apply to the other embodimentsof the invention described below.

Use of this embodiment of the invention typically involves placing anewly acquired potted plant, e.g., removed from a conventional pot, intothe pot of the invention. At first this concept of placing either apotted plant or a non-potted plant into another plant pot immediatelyprior to planting the plant seems redundant, unnecessary, and wasteful.However, the pot's design provides a method of incorporating afertilizer and/or root stimulator readily into the planting system.

This fertilizer pot overcomes the various disadvantages of currentmethods of fertilization of potted type plants and trees. For example,this invention provides direct application of fertilizer efficientlycompletely around the root system, as contrasted with inefficientapplication of granular fertilizer to the ground surface or at thebottom of a hole before planting. Because this invention appliesfertilizer to fixed locations under the ground, the risk of poisoninghousepets and the like is eliminated. An accurate amount of fertilizeris effectively distributed completely around the root system, while withgranular fertilizers some channeling of water flow can cause unevendelivery and much wasted effectiveness.

As compared to liquid fertilizer methods, this invention overcomes theproblems of fertilizer quickly leaching from the plant's root access.

The above-described pot of the invention is suitable for plantsresulting from nursery and home started seedlings, nursery and homeplants such as four- and six-pack vegetable and flower trays, smallpotted plants, bushes, trees and the like.

In a second embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, thecarrier is a sheet for delivery of a horticultural agent to plants orthe like. The sheet is constructed from a material whose composition isdissolvable and biodegradable and is selected from the same materials asthe pot described above. The sheet contains a slowly dissolvinghorticultural agent such as a fertilizer, insecticide or herbicide. Thesheet is designed to be placed flat on the ground prior to planting oneplant or multiple plants. The sheet is of solid and/or perforated designwhose horticultural agent is either mixed with the sheet material and/orglued to the top or bottom surface thereof. Furthermore, thedistribution of the horticultural agent is optionally intentionallyvaried across the sheet so as to encourage immediate and long term rootgrowth of new plantings. The sheet optionally includes weed preventer(herbicide) applied to the upper surface of the carrier as shown in FIG.5, which retards or prevents weeds or other undesirable growth fromoccurring.

The sheet is optionally constructed from a perforated material as shownin FIG. 3. The sheet is optionally designed for delivery of agents forinsect control and plant disease control as well as for fertilization.Fertilizer incorporated into the sheet is optionally formulated to matchspecific plant needs and soil requirements.

The sheet of the invention overcomes many of the problems associatedwith granular and liquid fertilizers discussed above. Furthermore, theembodiment of the sheet which includes horticultural agent adhered tothe upper or lower surface of the sheet is especially adaptable toselective distribution of the agent to desired locations on the sheet,rather than evenly over the entire sheet.

The sheet of the invention is adapted for use in most home and businesslandscaping applications, with nursery and home plants, including four-and six-pack vegetable and flower trays, one to ten gallon pottedplants, and ball and burlap plants. Furthermore, the sheet material isoptionally an open weave medium, which results in potentially reducedmaterial requirements and which encourages migration of roots intoback-fill soil.

In a further embodiment of the invention the carrier is a physical weedbarrier (such as a perforated or open weave sheet), which is constructedfrom a polyethylene or like material, with horticultural agent adheredthereto by an adhesive compound. This embodiment is distinct from theother embodiments herein in that the carrier is not readily dissolvable,as it is intended to remain in tact for a relatively long time on theground, and prevent the growth of weeds, while releasing a fertilizer orother horticultural agent to the ground. A herbicide is optionallyapplied to the top surface of the carrier.

In a variation of the dissolvable sheet form of the invention, it isadapted to be wrapped around a plant's root system prior to planting.This variation provides advantages of delivery of horticultural agentdirectly to a plant's root system similar to the pot form of theinvention described above. The flexible nature of the sheet allows it toconform to the shape of the root ball such that it intimately contactsthe root ball and delivers nutrients and other desired agents thereto.The wrap also serves to contain the root ball during the plantingoperation, and eventually degrades allowing the root ball to meld withthe soil.

In another variation of the sheet form of the invention, the sheet isdesigned to in part be wrapped around the plant's root system to beplaced in the ground, while part of the sheet is laid on top of theground extending around the plant. Advantageously, a weed inhibitor andfertilizer are optionally incorporated into the section of the sheetextending on the ground, while fertilizer and root stimulator areincorporated into the section of the sheet wrapped around the root ball.Several functions, including securement of the root ball duringplanting, direct and intimate immediate and long-term rootfertilization, long-term fertilization from the sheet section extendedon the ground, and weed prevention, are all achieved with one simple touse product, as shown in FIG. 12.

A further embodiment of the invention is conceptually the same as thesheet in terms of construction, application, and advantages, but thecarrier is in the form a disk, or ring as shown schematically in FIGS. 6and 7. This embodiment also includes a variation in which the carrierhas a smaller cross section in the form of a rope-type shape. Thisembodiment is adapted to be placed at appropriate locations, includingon the ground and underground, for delivery of horticultural agent toplants, trees, sod and the like. The ring or rope has a preferredcircular or square shape proportional to the size of the plant's rootgrowth zone, and is adapted to be placed flat on the ground after theplant is planted such that the plant is centered in the ring or rope.

In a further option applicable to all of the above embodiments, ahorticultural agent in liquid form is admixed with the adhesivecompound, with or without an additional, e.g., granular horticulturalagent adhered to the carrier.

In manufacturing the sheet form of the invention, the horticulturalagent can be applied to the sheet by broadcast spreading. In particular,after formation of the sheet, the sheet is sprayed or coated with awater soluble glue or other appropriate adhesive compound. While theglue or adhesive is wet, the sheet is passed under a spray or curtain ofhorticultural agent comprising regular and/or timed-release fertilizer,herbicide, and/or insecticide. The horticultural agent falls onto thewet glue or adhesive. A top layer of the sheet or other biodegradableand dissolvable carrier is optionally applied to cause the horticulturalagent to be sandwiched between the top and bottom layers ofbiodegradable and dissolvable material. The more preferred embodimentdoes not include this second layer of material.

After application of horticultural agent to the sheet, the sheet isair-dried or passed through a drying oven, depending on the requirementsof the materials used. The sheet can then be cut and optionally rolledup. The sheet can optionally be printed with desired indicia, such asproduct information.

In the foregoing manufacturing process, the horticultural agent isoptionally controlled with respect to spacing between granules ofhorticultural agent. This regulation or control ensures even spacing ofthe horticultural agent. In a variation of this controlled distribution,one manufacturing option is to distribute pre-measured timed-releasefertilizer or other horticultural agent by zone to create zones of heavyconcentration and zones of light concentration. In particular, thehorticultural agent is applied in random fashion as illustrated in FIG.8, in a more even predetermined pattern as shown in FIG. 9, or in azonetype pattern as shown in FIG. 10. The pattern shown in FIG. 10 isadvantageous where it is desirable to deliver different agents ordifferent concentrations of agents to different locations.

The manufacturing operations for the sheet form are summarized in FIG.11. The carrier is fed from a roll or other source to an optionalprinting operation where product information is printed on the sheet. Ina subsequent operation, adhesive compound is applied, and in asubsequent operation, horticultural agent is applied. Preferred agentsinclude timed-release granular fertilizers distributed by PursellIndustries under the trade name “Polyon” and such fertilizersdistributed by The Scotts Company under the trade name “Osmocote.” Adrying operation, where required, is also performed, followed byoptional reapplication of horticultural agent. The sheet is then cut toprovide the desired characteristics of shape and optionally holesthrough which plants are to ultimately planted. Finally, the sheet ispackaged by rolling, stacking, or the like, as desired.

As various changes could be made in the above embodiments withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description shall be interpreted asillustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A delivery system for delivering a horticulturalagent to a plant, the system comprising: a carrier adapted to be placedin proximity to a root system of a plant and to be positioned tosurround at least a portion of the plant, the carrier comprising amaterial which is biodegradable and dissolvable upon prolonged exposureto water; a horticultural agent which is adhered to the carrier andwhich is dissolvable upon prolonged exposure to water; and an adhesivecompound adhering the horticultural agent to the carrier, which adhesivecompound is dissolvable upon prolonged exposure to water.
 2. Thedelivery system of claim 1 wherein the carrier is a pot having a bottomhaving interior and exterior surfaces, side walls having interior andexterior surfaces, and an open top adapted to receive the root system ofthe plant and adapted for placement in a ground hole.
 3. The deliverysystem of claim 2 wherein the horticultural agent is distributed on theinterior surfaces of the bottom and side walls.
 4. The delivery systemof claim 2 wherein the horticultural agent is distributed on theexterior surfaces of the bottom and side walls.
 5. The delivery systemof claim 2 wherein the horticultural agent is distributed on theinterior and exterior surfaces of the bottom and side walls.
 6. Thedelivery system of claim 2 wherein the pot comprises an upper lip and alip extension at the upper lip of the pot adapted to extend generallyparallel to the ground surface upon placement of the pot with rootsystem therein into the ground hole, the lip extension having an uppersurface facing away from the ground and a lower surface facing towardthe ground upon placement of the pot with root system therein into theground hole.
 7. The delivery system of claim 6 wherein the horticulturalagent is distributed on the upper surface of the lip extension.
 8. Thedelivery system of claim 6 wherein the horticultural agent isdistributed on the lower surface of the lip extension.
 9. The deliverysystem of claim 6 wherein the horticultural agent is distributed on theupper and lower surfaces of the lip extension.
 10. The delivery systemof claim 1 wherein the carrier is a flexible sheet having an uppersurface and a lower surface and adapted to be wrapped around the rootsystem prior to planting of the plant such that the upper surface of thesheet faces toward the root system and the lower surface of the sheetfaces away from the root system.
 11. The delivery system of claim 10wherein the horticultural agent is distributed on the upper surface ofthe sheet.
 12. The delivery system of claim 10 wherein the horticulturalagent is distributed on the lower surface of the sheet.
 13. The deliverysystem of claim 10 wherein the horticultural agent is distributed on theupper and lower surfaces of the sheet.
 14. The delivery system of claim1 wherein the carrier is a flexible sheet having an upper surface and alower surface and adapted to be disposed on ground above the root systemof the plant such that the upper surface of the sheet faces upwardlyaway from the ground and the lower surface faces downwardly toward theroot system.
 15. The delivery system of claim 14 wherein thehorticultural agent is distributed on the upper surface of the sheet.16. The delivery system of claim 14 wherein the horticultural agent isdistributed on the lower surface of the sheet.
 17. The delivery systemof claim 16 wherein a herbicide is adhered to the upper surface of thesheet.
 18. The delivery system of claim 14 wherein a horticultural agentis adhered to the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet.
 19. Thedelivery system of claim 1 wherein the carrier has a flexible, elongate,rope-type shape adapted to be placed proximate the root system.
 20. Thedelivery system of claim 1 wherein the carrier is in the form of a diskadapted to be placed around the plant proximate the root system, thedisk having an upper surface which faces upwardly away from the groundand a lower surface which faces downwardly toward the root system whenthe disk is disposed around the plant, and no covering being providedover the horticultural agent.
 21. The delivery system of claim 20wherein the horticultural agent is distributed on the upper surface ofthe disk.
 22. The delivery system of claim 21 wherein a herbicide isadhered to the upper surface of the disk.
 23. The delivery system ofclaim 20 wherein the horticultural agent is distributed on the lowersurface of the disk.
 24. The delivery system of claim 20 wherein thehorticultural agent is distributed on the upper and lower surfaces ofthe disk.
 25. The delivery system of claim 1 wherein the horticulturalagent is distributed randomly on the carrier.
 26. The delivery system ofclaim 1 wherein the horticultural agent is distributed in apredetermined pattern on the carrier.
 27. The delivery system of claim26 wherein the carrier has a first zone on which horticultural agent isdistributed in a first density and a second zone on which horticulturalagent is distributed in a second density, the first densitycharacterized by a denser distribution of horticultural agent than thesecond density.
 28. The delivery system of claim 1 wherein the carriercomprises a material selected from the group consisting of paper,cardboard, biodegradable plastic, peat, mulch, straw, and burlap. 29.The delivery system of claim 1 wherein the horticultural agent istimed-release fertilizer.
 30. The delivery system of claim 1 comprisinga sealing layer of material on top of the horticultural agent to sealthe horticultural agent between carrier and the sealing layer, thesealing layer comprising a material which is dissolvable upon prolongedexposure to water.
 31. A delivery system as set forth in claim 1 whereinthe carrier is a physical weed barrier.
 32. A delivery system fordelivering a horticultural agent to a plant, the system comprising: acarrier comprising a material which is biodegradable and dissolvableupon prolonged exposure to water, the carrier having a horticulturalagent in intimate admixture therewith, which horticultural agent isdissolvable upon prolonged exposure to water, the carrier being a pothaving a bottom having interior and exterior surfaces, side walls havinginterior and exterior surfaces, and an open top adapted to receive theroot system of the plant and adapted for placement in a ground hole. 33.The delivery system of claim 32 wherein the pot comprises an upper lipand a lip extension at the upper lip of the pot adapted to extendgenerally parallel to the ground surface upon placement of the pot withroot system therein into the ground hole, the lip extension having anupper surface facing away from the ground and a lower surface facingtoward the ground upon placement of the pot with root system thereininto the ground hole.
 34. A delivery system for delivering atimed-release fertilizer to a root system of a plant, the systemcomprising: a carrier placed in proximity to the root system of theplant, the carrier being constructed from a paper material which isbiodegradable and dissolvable upon prolonged exposure to water, thecarrier being a flexible sheet having an upper surface and a lowersurface and wrapped around the root system prior to planting of theplant such that the upper surface of the sheet faces toward the rootsystem and the lower surface of the sheet faces away from the rootsystem; a timed-release fertilizer which is adhered to the carrier andwhich is dissolvable upon prolonged exposure to water; and an adhesivecompound adhering the horticultural agent to the carrier, which adhesivecompound is dissolvable upon prolonged exposure to water.
 35. A methodof delivering a horticultural agent to a root system of a plant using acarrier comprising a material which is biodegradable and dissolvableupon prolonged exposure to water, the carrier including a horticulturalagent dissolvable upon prolonged exposure to water, the methodcomprising: wrapping the carrier around a root system of the plant, andplanting the plant.
 36. A method of delivering a horticultural agent toa root system of a plant using a carrier comprising a material which isbiodegradable and dissolvable upon prolonged exposure to water, thecarrier including a horticultural agent dissolvable upon prolongedexposure to water, the method comprising: placing the carrier on theground to surround a stem of the plant allowing the horticultural agentto dissolve to evenly feed the root system.
 37. A method of delivering ahorticultural agent to a root system of a plant using a carriercomprising a material which is biodegradable and dissolvable uponprolonged exposure to water, the carrier including a horticultural agentdissolvable upon prolonged exposure to water, the carrier being shapedas a pot for retaining a root system, the method comprising: placing theplant in the pot, planting the pot and plant in soil.